Ambulance-cot.



W. H. THOMAS;

AMBULANCE COT.

APPLICATION TILED Hi-29, 1916.

1,242,496. Patented Oct. 9, 1917.

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To all whom it may concern."

Beit-known that I, WILLIAMII. THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sterling, in thecounty of -'Whitesi de and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ambulance- Cots, of which the follow'ing is a specification.

Mydnventionrelates to-ambulance cots,-

and pertains more specially to means'f'o'r yieldingly supporting the cot, or litter, on the floor of an ambulance, or upon the ground. It has been customary, in conveying a patient on a cot in an ambulance, to relieve the occupant of the cot from the jar and jolt of the vehicle by suspending the frame of the cot from the upper part of the ambulance by means of straps and coiled springs, making it necessary to make connection of tl e straps to the frame upon placing the cot in the ambulance, and to disconnect same upon removal thereof. This method also permitted of more or less swinging of the cot in the ambulance, which was undesir able.

In my device I aim to support the cot in a yielding manner upon the floor of the vehicle, the means for supporting the cot not interfering in the least in placing the same in the ambulance or removing it therefrom. The construction and means of support of the device are also such that it can be set down at any point without jar to the occupant, and can be readily propelled from one point to another by a single attendant, if desired. This is not only of great advantage in moving a patient from one point to another in a hospital, but is very useful in carrying a wounded soldier from a battle field, it only being necessary for him to be attended by one other soldier, instead of by two, as in the case of the usual litter.

' In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side view of a cot embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail, showing the manner of connecting the end of the spring 5 with one of the shafts 8. Fig. 3 is a side view of my invention with one of the ends thereof elevated. Fig. 4 is a detail showing a modified form of my device.

1 represents one of a pair of side pieces provided with handles 2, and united by a pair of crosspieces 3. The frame thus formed is provided in the usual manner with canvas, or other covering, not shown herein, for the support of the patient.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Patented Get. a, 191%.

I Application filed January 29, Serial No. 75,091.

I Secured-to the under side of the pieces 1 are blocks a, providedwith curved lower faces to which are fastened leaf springs 55,. theouterends of whlch are at a point near the ends of the frame-of the 'cot; Said springs are provided at their outer ends with small wheelsorrollersfi, by means of sleeves 7 formed on the ends of the springs engaging axles '8- of the wheels: The springs '5"are' preferably curved to project away from the frame 1, and the blocks 4 are preferably thicker at their outer ends to assist in diverting the springs away from the.

side pieces. By forming the blocks at one end of the frame thicker than at the other end, or by giving the springs at one end a greater curvature, a slight elevation of one end of the frame is secured, such end being used for the head of the .occupant. The strength of the springs i easily support the weight of the cot and occupant, the springs yielding to the extra load as shown in broken lines in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 illustrates the manner in which one end of the cot can be elevated and propelled on the wheels at one end thereof by a single attendant or litter bearer, and for this use either end of the cot can be elevated in the manner shown. If the litter is being carried by two attendants, and it is found to be necessary to set it down temporarily, the same can be done without jar to occupant. For field use carrying wheels of larger diameter would preferably beused, and the operation of placing the litter in an ambulance and supporting the same therein would not be affected by such change.

Fig. 4 shows a modified form, wherein the block 4 is re-placed by a block 9', having a lower face projected diagonally to'the sidepiece 1, to which block is secured a straight spring 10, to the outer end of which is connected a wheel 6, in a similar'manner to that s such as to of the cot, reducing the motion of the Vehicle, so far as the same is imparted to the occupant of the cot, to a minimum.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a frame provided with suitable handles; two pairs of blocks secured to the lower face of said frame and having curvilinear lower faces diverging outwardly from said frame, leaf-springs secured to said blocks and conforming in curvature therewith; and carrying-wheels on the outer ends of said springs.

52. In a device of the class described, a

frame provided with suitable handles, two

pairs of blocks secured to the lower face of said frame, and having lower faces diverging outwardly therefrom; the blocks at one end of said frame possessing greater thickness with relation to said frame than those at the opposite end thereof; leaf-springs secured to said blocks and diverging from said frame; and carrying-wheels on the outer ends of said springs.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

. WILLIAM H. THOMAS. Witnesses W. N. HAsKELL, V FRANK W. HASKELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

